Disconnectable supply conduit for hair spray systems

ABSTRACT

A manually disconnectable flexible dual conduit for interconnection between a fluid and pressurized air supply receptacle at one end and a hair spray gun at the other end is described. A molded connector body member at each end of the conduit has swivelingly supported in parallel through openings therein a pair of tubular receptacle members, each communicating at one end with an end portion of one of the conduit members of the dual conduit, and being adapted to interfittingly receive similarly swiveled projecting prong members of the supply receptacle and the spray gun. Yieldable snap-fit mechanism is provided at each of the connector members to effect interlocking connection, yieldable for manual disconnect upon the application of a withdrawal force substantially greater than that which would be required merely for withdrawal from the connecting prongs.

Unite States Patent 1191 Wagner 1 Mar. 18, 1975 1 DISCONNECTABLE SUPPLYCONDUIT FOR HAIR SPRAY SYSTEMS [75] Inventor: William Wagner, MiamiBeach, Fla.

[73] Assignee: Watsco, Inc.

Primary Eraminer-Lloyd L. King Assistant Exaniiner-Michael Mar Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Ernest H. Schmidt [57] ABSTRACT A manually disconnectableflexible dual conduit for interconnection between a fluid andpressurized air supply receptacle at one end and a hair spray gun at theother end is described. A molded connector body member at each end ofthe conduit has swivelingly supported in parallel through openingstherein a pair of tubular receptacle members, each communicating at oneend with an end portion of one of the conduit members of the dualconduit, and. being adapted to interfittingly receive similarly swiveledprojecting prong members of the supply receptacle and the spray gun.Yieldable snap-fit mechanism is provided at each of the connectormembers to effect interlocking connection, yieldable for manualdisconnect upon the application of a withdrawal force substantiallygreater than that which would be required merely for withdrawal from theconnecting prongs.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures DISCONNEC'IIABLE SUPPLY CONDUIT FOR HAIRSPRAY SYSTEMS In my U.S. Pat. No. 3,758,039, issued Sept. 11, 1973,there is described a spray gun for applying hair setting fluids and thelike in which pressurized air and the fluid to be sprayed are fed orsupplied separately through side-by-side flexibel conduits for mixing ina mixing chamber of the spray gun prior to discharge through the spraygun nozzle. I-Ieretofore in such hair spray systems, the dual supplyconduit was fixedly jointed at its respective ends to the supplyreceptacle and the spray gun during the manufacturing process. Thus,whenever it became necessary for one reason or another, such as wear dueto heavy useage, or clogging of the fluid conduit because of lacquersolids build-up, or the like, much of the equipment had to bedisassembled to properly install a new conduit. Such replacement notonly was difficult and time consuming, but could be performed only by atechnician having the requisite knowledge and materials.

It is, accordingly, the principal object of this invention to provide aflexible dual supply conduit having manually releasable connector meansat each end for connecting between a fluid and pressurized air supplyreceptacle, and a spray gun of the type disclosed in my above-identifiedpatent.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide interconnectionmechanism at each end of a flexible dual supply conduit of the abovenature which incorporates snap-fit means serving to capture theconnectors with respect to their associated supply receptacle and spraygun interconnecting mechanism, so as to require substantial manualwithdrawal force for disconnect, thereby minimizing any possibility ofaccidental or inadvertent disconnection of the supply conduit during useof the spray system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a manually disconnectableflexible dual supply conduit for hair spray systems utilizing apressurized air propellant spray gun wherein the interconnectingmechanism between the ends of the conduit and the supply receptacle andspray gun comprise tubular ferrule receptacles or female members withinwhich are removably received tubular prong members comprising theconnector means of the supply receptacle and the spray gun, and whereinO-ring means within each prong-receiving receptacle is utilized tominimze the posibility of leakage at the connection junctures even underthe force of the pressurized air supplied through the supply receptaclefor operating the spray gun.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a flexible dual supplyconduit of the character described which can be inexpensibly molded of asynthetic plastic material, and which will be easy to connect anddisconnect with respect to a fluid and pressurized air receptacle at oneend, and a spray gun at the other end.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a flexible dual supplyconduit of the above nature which will be simple in construction,attractive in appearance, economical in cost, and dependable and longwearing in operation.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description when read with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsdenote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 illustrates a spray gun apparatus including a readilydisconnectable flexible dual spray gun feed or supply conduit embodyingthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the snap-fitspray gun female connector member at one end of the dual supply conduit;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the spray gun snap-fit connector memberillustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the snap-fitsupply connector member at the other end of the dual supply conduit; and

FIG. 5 is a top view of the supply connector member illustrated in FIG.4.

Referring now to the drawings, reference numeral 10 designates,generally, a disconnectable, dual, fluid and pressurized air supplyconduit embodying the invention, showing its use in association with asupply receptacle or container 11 and a spray gun 12, which, takentogether, comprise a'spray system for applying hair treating and hairsetting fluids in beauty salons and the like. This invention is directedto the connector mechanism at the spray gun end of the supply conduit10, comprising the female connector 13 cooperative with the maleconnector mechanism 14 of the spray gun, and the female connector member15 at the other end of the supply conduit and cooperative with the maleconnector mechanism 16 provided at the connection to the supplycontainer 11. Since the construction and operational details of thespray gun 12, other than as modified herein, are fully disclosed in myUS. Pat. No. 3,758,039, only so much thereof is illustrated anddescribed herein as is deemed necessary to fully disclose the presentinvention.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the female connector 13comprises an integrally formed body member 17, which may be of a tough,substantially rigid, synthetic plastic material having a substantiallyflat front face portion 18 merging, at its lower edge, with arectangular, outwardly-extending tongue portion 19. The underside of thetongue portion 19 merges, along its inner end, with a comparativelyshort, receding front face portion 20 the planar face of which definesan angle of approximately 30 degrees with the extended planar face ofthe front face portion 18. Integrally formed within the body member 17is a pair of side-by-side through, cylindrical openings 21, 22 (onlyopening 22 illustrated in FIG. 2). Received within each of the throughopenings 21, 22 is a receptacle ferrule 23, which is preferablyfabricated of metal, having a forward, substantially cylindrical prongreceiving portion 24 extending into a rearward, reduced-diameterconnector sleeve portion 25. At its foreward end the prong receivingportion 24 is formed with an outer peripheral annular bead 26 whichserves to capture and retain the receptacle ferrule 23 in place byinterfitting engagement with a complementary annular recess 27 providedwithin the through cylindrical opening 22. In this connection, it is tobe noted that the outer diameter of the cylindrical surface of the prongreceiving portion 24 is slightly less than that of the through openingof the body member 17 in which it fits to provide for limited swivelingmovement with respect to the retaining complementary recess 27. Theouter end of the prong receiving portion 24 of the receptacle ferrule 23is provided, near the outer end of the cylindrical opening 24a of saidprong receiving portion with an annular recess of substantiallysemi-circular cross-sectional shape for the reception and retention of acomplemental O-ring 28. Projecting outwardly of the front face portion18 of the body member 17, at a position just below the throughcylindrical openings 21, 22 thereof, are three laterally-extending,equidistantly-spaced, rounded projections 29, 30, 31. The upper end ofthe front surface portion 18 of the body member 17 merges into acentral, slightly upwardly-extending catch portion 32 having arearwardly-extending, upwardly-inclined upper surface portion 32aterminating in an arcuatelyrounded back surface portion 33. As bestillustrated in FIG. 2 the arcuately rounded back portion 33 comprises arearwardly and downwardly-extending surface portion 34 and asubstantially vertical rear surface portion 35.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, end portions of the dual supply conduit at oneend thereof are connected to their respective ferrules 23 by slide fitin telescoping fashion over the respective sleeve portions 25, to whichthey are preferably secured by use of a suitable adhesive.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the spray gun 12, which is preferablyfabricated of a tough synthetic plastic material, comprises a bodymember 36 integrally formed with a handle portion 37. Secured against anouter surface portion of the handle portion 37 is a handle cover member38, having an outer end portion 39 extending somewhat beyond the endface 40 of said handle portion. As further illustrated in FIG. 1 theunderside of the outer end portion 39 of the cover member 38 is formedwith an arcuate recess 41 for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Theouter end of the handle portion 37, moreover, is formed with alongitudinallyextending, rectangular recess 42 receivable within whichis trigger member 43 upon manual actuation of the spray gun. Projectingoutwardly of the end face 40 of the handle portion 37 is a pair oftubular laterallyspaced male connector members or prongs 44, 45 which,at their inwardly-extending ends, connect with flexible conduits forcommunication with the mixing chamber and nozzle mechanism of the spraygun. The male connector members 44, 45 are retained in place in theirrespective cylindrical openings in a manner similar to that utilized inretaining the female connector ferrules 23, in their respective openingsof the body member 17 of the female connector 13, as is hereinabovedescribed. As so assembled, it will be understood that the maleconnector members 44, 45 are permitted limited swiveling movement withrespect to the handle portion 37 of the spray gun 12, for the purposehereinafter appearing.

In use, interconnection of the female connector 13 with the spra gun at12 is effected, as best illustrated in FIG. 1, by inserting the maleconnector members 44, 45 into the respective female connector ferrules23 while at the same time pushing downwardly slightly upon rear endportion of the body member 17 of said female connector to permit theupwardly-extending catch portion 32 thereof to pass by the underside ofthe outer end portion 39 of the spray gun handle cover member 38. Theabove-described swivel action of the receptacle ferrules 23 and theirassociated male connector members 44, 45 permits such non-axial movementof the female connector 13 with respect to the spray gun 12. During thisplug-in operation, the tongue portion 19 of the female connector 13 isloosely received within the rectangular recess 42 of a spray gun.

The laterally-disposed, rounded projections 29, 30, 31 in the front faceportion 18 of the body member 17 serve as a fulcrum about which thefemale connector 13, once pushed home against the end face of the spraygun handle portion 37, can be rocked upwardly to resiliently force thecatch portion 32 up into the arcuate recess 41 for securely retainingthe female connector 13 in interconnected relation with respect to spraygun. In this connection, it will be noted that the relief zone providedby the receding front face portion 20 of the female connector 113permits the abovedescribed downward rocking motion of said connectormember about the pivotal projections 29, 30 and 31 upon carrying out theinterhooking attachment motions as described above.

The female connector member 15 at the other end of the dual supplyconduit comprises an integrally moled, substantially-rectangular bodyportion 46 (see FIGS. 1, 4 and 5) having a pair of longitudinal,side-by-side, through openings 47 (only one illustrated in FIG. 4)receivable within which are metal receptacle ferrules 48 (only oneillustrated), connected one each to the individual tubular end portionsof the supply conduit 10a, 10b. The receptacle ferrules 48 are similarin construction to the receptacle ferrules 23 of the female connector13, and are similarly assembled for limited swiveling motion within andwith respect to their respective through openings 47. As bestillustrated in FIG. 4, the outer end face of the rectangular bodyportion 46 of the female connector member 15 is substantially flat, andsaid body portion is further integrally formed with a tongue portion 49extending outwardly of the upper surface of said body portion anddefining an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to said frontface. The tongue portion 49 is provided with a circular through opening50 which opens into the outer end of said tongue portion through anentranceway defined by opposed side walls 51, 52 converging inwardlyfrom the outer end of said tongue portion. The opening or recess thusdefined by opposed side walls 50, 51 and the circular through opening 50is thus of key-hole shape.

The supply container 11 is also preferably formed of a tough syntheticplastic material, and comprises a screw-on cap member 53 having anintegrally-molded, upwardly-extending, substantially semi-circularprojection or connector head 54. The connector head 54 has integrallymolded, laterally extending conduit prong members 55 (only oneillustrated in FIG. 4). The conduit prong members 55,55 conductpressurized air and fluid under pressure to the individual conduits ofthe supply conduit 10 for controlled supply to the spray nozzlemechanism of the spray gun 12.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, interconnection of the female connectormember 15 with the fluid and pressurized air supply prongs of the capmember 53 is effected simply by pushing said female connector memberstraight upon the supply prongs for interengagement with the respectivereceptacle ferrules 48, whereupon the opening of the tongue portion 49of the connector member 15 will receive an integral locking post 56extending upwardly of the cap connector head 54 to interhookingly engagesaid tongue portion. In this connection, it is to be noted that thediameter of the locking post 56 is somewhat greater than that of theopening into the circular through opening 50 of the tongue portion 49 sothat the outer end portions of said tongue portion spread somewhat apartduring the connecting process, thereafter to return to normal positionagain in embracing relation with respect to said locating post portionafter the female connector ispushed home against the connector head 54.It will further be understood that the tongue portion 49 of the femaleconnector member 15 is of such length with respect to the prong members55, 55 that the entrance opening or mouth at the outer end of saidtongue member begins to receive the locating post member 56 just beforethe prongs are received in their respective receptacle ferrules 48 toserve as indexing or guide means for the manual push-on connection ofthe female connector member 15. Upon removal or disconnection of thefemale connector member 15 it will be understood that sufficient directwithdrawal force must be exerted upon the body of the female connectormember 15 to spread the somewhat embracingly interhooking outer endportions of the tongue portion 49 thereof, which requires substantiallygreater pulling force than would otherwise be required for withdrawalwith respect to the connector prongs 55, 55. it will thus be understoodthat this interlocking means of the female connector member l5 and theabove-described mechanism of the female connector l3 serve to preventinadvertent loosening and disconnecting of the supply conduit if) ateither end. Whenever it is required to replace the supply conduit 10,however, this can readily be done manually and without the use of toolsas hereinabove described.

While I have illustrated and described herein only one form in which theinvention can conveniently be embodied in practice, it is to beunderstood that this form is presented by way of example only and not ina limiting sense. The invention, in brief, comprises all the embodimentsand modifications coming within the scope and spirit of the followingclaims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a disconnectable supply conduit for hair spray systems including afluid and pressurized air supply receptacle, a spray gun, and a flexiblesupply conduit communicating between the fluid and pressurized airsupply receptacle, and the spray gun, the spray gun and the supplyreceptacle each having a pair of outwardlyprojecting, side-by-sideconnector prongs and mechanism for interhookingly connecting with aconnector member, the improvement comprising, a pair of flexible side-byside conduit members, a molded connector body member at each end of saidconduit members, a pair of side-by-side cylindrical through openings ineach of said molded connector body members, a tubular receptacle memberin one each of said connector body member through openings andcommunicating at one end with an end portion of one each of the ends ofsaid pair of flexible side-by-side conduit members, and means forswivelingly supporting opposite end portions of each of said tubularreceptacle members within their respective through openings, saidconnector body members each comprising yieldable hook means cooperativewith the interhooking mechanism of the spray gun and the supplyreceptacle, respectively, the connector prong pairs of said spray gunand said supply receptacle being interfittingly receivable withinrespective pairs, each, of said connector body members.

2. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said tubularreceptacle members are of metal and wherein said swiveling meanscomprises an annular bead formed about the outside of each of saidtubular receptacle members receivable in complementary recesses formedwithin each of said body member through openings, the exterior diameterof each of said tubular receptacle members being somewhat less than thediameter of their respective through openings.

3.. The improvement as defined in claim 2, including a resilient O-ringfitted within a complementary interior recess near said opposite endportion of each of said tubular receptacle members.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 3, wherein one of said connectorbody members is formed with a planar outer end face into which its pairof side-by-side cylindrical through openings extend, and a catch portionextending upwardly and rearwardly of one end of said face portion, saidcatch portion being operative to snapfit behind the rear wall portion ofa recess in the spray gun comprising its interhooking mechanism.

5.. The improvement as defined in claim wherein said face portion ofsaid connector body member, at the opposite side thereof with respect tosaid catch portion, is provided with projection means serving as afulcrum for rocking said last-mentioned connector member against an endface portion of the spray gun upon interhookingly connecting saidlast-mentioned connector body member to said spray gun.

d. The improvement as defined in claim 5, wherein said projection meanscomprises three laterallyextending, equidistantly spaced roundedprojections.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 4, wherein the other of saidconnector body members if formed with a planar outer end face into whichits pair of sideby-side cylindrical through openings extend, and atongue portion extending outwardly of the upper end of saidlast-mentioned planar outer end face, said tongue portion having, at itsouter end, means operative to snap-fit in partially surrounding relationabout a locking post of the supply receptacle comprising itsinterhooking mechanism.

8. The improvement as defined in claim 7, wherein said snapfit meanscomprises a through circular opening near the outer end of said tongueportion, and an entranceway communicating between the outer end of saidtongue portion and said through opening in said tongue portion, saidentranceway being defined by opposed side wall portions converginginwardly from the outer end of said tongue portion to a spacingtherebetween that is less than the diameter of said through circularopening.

1. In a disconnectable supply conduit for hair spray systems including afluid and pressurized air supply receptacle, a spray gun, and a flexiblesupply conduit communicating between the fluid and pressurized airsupply receptacle, and the spray gun, the spray gun and the supplyreceptacle each having a pair of outwardly-projecting, side-by-sideconnector prongs and mechanism for interhookingly connecting with aconnector member, the improvement comprising, a pair of flexibleside-by-side conduit members, a molded connector body member at each endof said conduit members, a pair of side-by-side cylindrical throughopenings in each of said molded connector body members, a tubularreceptacle member in one each of said connector body member throughopenings and communicating at one end with an end portion of one each ofthe ends of said pair of flexible side-by-side conduit members, andmeans for swivelingly supporting opposite end portions of each of saidtubular receptacle members within their respective through openings,said connector body members each comprising yieldable hook meanscooperative with the interhooking mechanism of the spray gun and thesupply receptacle, respectively, the connector prong pairs of said spraygun and said supply receptacle being interfittingly receivable withinrespective pairs, each, of said connector body members.
 2. Theimprovement as defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular receptaclemembers are of metal and wherein said swiveling means comprises anannular bead formed about the outside of each of said tubular receptaclemembers receivable in complementary recesses formed within each of saidbody member through openings, the exterior diameter of each of saidtubular receptacle members being somewhat less than the diameter oftheir respective through openings.
 3. The improvement as defined inclaim 2, including a resilient O-ring fitted within a complementaryinterior recess near said opposite end portion of each of said tubularreceptacle members.
 4. The improvement as defined in claim 3, whereinone of said connector body members is formed with a planar outer endface into which its pair of side-by-side cylindrical through openingsextend, and a catch portion extending upwardly and rearwardly of one endof said face portion, said catch portion being operative to snap-fitbehind the rear wall portion of a recess in the spray gun comprising itsinterhooking mechanism.
 5. The improvement as defined in claim 4,wherein said face portion of said connector body member, at the oppositeside thereof with respect to said catch portion, is provided withprojection means serving as a fulcrum for rocking said last-mentionedconnector member against an end face portion of the spray gun uponinterhookingly connecting said last-mentioned connector body member tosaid spray gun.
 6. The improvement as defined in cLaim 5, wherein saidprojection means comprises three laterally-extending,equidistantly-spaced rounded projections.
 7. The improvement as definedin claim 4, wherein the other of said connector body members if formedwith a planar outer end face into which its pair of side-by-sidecylindrical through openings extend, and a tongue portion extendingoutwardly of the upper end of said last-mentioned planar outer end face,said tongue portion having, at its outer end, means operative tosnap-fit in partially surrounding relation about a locking post of thesupply receptacle comprising its interhooking mechanism.
 8. Theimprovement as defined in claim 7, wherein said snapfit means comprisesa through circular opening near the outer end of said tongue portion,and an entranceway communicating between the outer end of said tongueportion and said through opening in said tongue portion, saidentranceway being defined by opposed side wall portions converginginwardly from the outer end of said tongue portion to a spacingtherebetween that is less than the diameter of said through circularopening.